OF FANI MAKRIDIS
Illegalities with a state plot of land in the Municipality of Sotira, which has been used for years by a family from free Famagusta, in violation of a contract with the state, were identified by the Audit Service.
The case that is being investigated since last summer, concerns the entertainment center called NOX By The Sea, in which last summer well-known singers of the Greek music scene had appeared.
Following a complaint and investigation by the technical inspection service of EV, it emerged that the operation of this entertainment center is not legal.
We note some of the findings of the Audit Office:
Exclusively as a cafe-restaurant
The state land was leased to an individual with a contract dated 18/11/1985 and an amending agreement, in order for the latter to use it with the existing premises, exclusively as a cafe-restaurant.
The tenant passed away in 2014
The validity of the agreement (registered in the Department of Lands and Surveys on 17/12/1985), was extended for a second period of 20 years and specifically from 2/9/2001 until September 1, 2021, without the right to renew for a third period. Despite the fact that the lessee of the plot passed away on 6/8/2014, the estates continued to be managed by the heirs without the transfer of the real right. The heirs, while there was no right of renewal for a third period, submitted to the Department of Lands and Surveys a new application for lease, for purposes of use and operation of the premises.
Illegal subletting
In a relevant letter of the competent department of the Audit Service at the end of November, reference is made to the above, while it is clearly noted that there is a possibility of illegal subletting by the last tenant of the disputed plot of land. Specifically, the technical control department that investigated the whole case, concludes that based on the data, it appears that the operation of the premises in the specific piece of land is illegal. It is also stated that “the center which is currently in operation, seems to be managed by the company NKMD NOX COCKTAIL BAR LTD, possibly through illegal subletting by the last tenant”.
It was sent to the Ministry. Interior
The investigation of the Audit Office is in progress. As we are validly informed, he has contacted the Ministry of Interior, pointing out everything mentioned above, asking for comments on the whole issue.
Letter from Perdiki
The issue was raised by the former MP of the Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation movement, George Perdikis. In a letter last July, he informed the Audit Office of the allegations made against him at the nightclub. According to the complaints he had received and which he had informed EV, NOX by the Sea was not licensed, while operating illegally on “state property / forest land”. According to the content of the complaints that Mr. Perdikis had forwarded to the Audit, “the land had been leased to a refugee whose relatives have subleased it to a businessman”. There was also talk of harassment in the area by the allegedly illegal operation.
Cypriot referees
It should be noted that two of the three officials and shareholders of NKMD NOX COCKTAIL BAR LTD, are currently members of the Cypriot arbitration. They are the international assistant referee and vice-president of the referees association Nikos Egglezos and the referee Konstantinos Fella. According to the Audit Office, NOX By The Sea appears to be managed by the company of interests of these arbitrators, “possibly through illegal subletting”.
“P” contacted Mr. Englezou and after noting all the above, asked for his comment. The well-known assistant referee told us that NKMD NOX COCKTAIL BAR LTD's interest company has absolutely nothing to do with the NOX By The Sea nightclub. “We helped the owner, Mrs. ET, only to close artists and present themselves in the store in question,” he said, among other things. “I went as a clerk to help,” he said elsewhere in his post. He then instructed us not to publish what he told us, adding that due to the investigation carried out into the case of the match Omonia – Doxa (20/09/2021) he is not allowed by the Referees Association to make statements. We replied that the issue he referred to had nothing to do with the issue of state land lease. We also pointed out that we officially called him as part of a journalistic investigation to get an official position, respecting the ethics and we told him that we can not hide the truth from our readers. After first threatening us with legal measures, he hung up the phone. We remain at his disposal if he deems it should be placed.
